Definition of sanctificationnext
1
as in consecration
the act of making something holy through religious ritual the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sanctification After Fuqua does interesting work sowing seeds of folly amid the star’s glorious rise, the movie gives up and turns to total sanctification. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century. Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis. Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 But if her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life. Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe. Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctification
Noun
  • These appointments distinguished the Kenyan church from many other GAFCON provinces where the consecration of women bishops remains controversial.
    Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Which is not to say that the Lido selection lacks luster or awards consecration potential.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Countries in the region are heavily reliant on DuPont's powerful filtration and purification products for drinking water.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The former child star went on to explore a series of unexpected careers, including creating a vegan food company, working as an installation artist and helping develop energy-efficient water purification systems used overseas.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In the film, Robin Hood (Jackman), who feels cursed after leading a life of violent crime, is gravely wounded in a battle and seeks a chance at salvation while under the care of the mysterious Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer).
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • In recent years, Afrofuturism, as Brent Staples noted in The New York Times, has grown considerably, aiming to write African Americans into a fantastical future built on salvation, tribulation, and futuristic escape.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • The Orthodox Christian service included a holy water cleansing ritual for chronic illnesses, per the BBC.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Mieloch recommends using a proper double-cleansing ritual to dissolve the makeup for the most effective results.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanctification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctification. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sanctification

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!